Join a virtual tour of the Oliver Hazard Perry ship from your home

With on-ship seminar plans run aground by coronavirus, Salve Regina students and the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry Tall Ship (OHPRI) charted a virtual solution. Their original plans were to climb aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry for an interactive lesson on creativity, but those were cast away by the coronavirus outbreak.

Rather than cancel the session altogether, Dr. Myra Edelstein, associate professor of business studies and economics at Salve Regina, and the team at Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island worked out a solution. The students in Edelstein’s course logged into a Webex class on Thursday, April 2, from 8-9:10 a.m.

Now anyone can join this virtual experience! Watch the entire class online, including a tour of the ship and a talk by the captain.

Virtual Field Trip – OHPRI Tall Ship

Capt. Jonathan Kabak, the CEO of OHPRI, was the featured speaker, addressing the topic of how a well-planned and formal management process on board the ship allows for creativity and innovation when the opportunities present themselves.

The class also included a virtual “live” tour of the Oliver Hazard Perry Tall Ship presented by the ship’s engineer, Jackson Hruschka. This modified event was organized with the help of Jennifer Kendrigan, OHPRI’s educational programs manager.

“This is a unique opportunity for students, and the Oliver Hazard Perry educational crew’s willingness to work with us is just wonderful,” said Edelstein.

Capt. Kabak said the discipline and formality of structured preparedness is what allows for creativity and innovation, especially when unpredictable seas throw chaos at a crew. “Structure frees us up to think more broadly and creatively,” he said. “This is how creativity flourishes.”

Edelstein’s course, UNV102-P2 Creativity & Innovation, is a freshman writing seminar where students build a “tool box” of activities to encourage creative thinking and to improve their writing skills. During each class period, Edelstein brings new and engaging activities to the course with the intent to inspire the students to explore and expand their use of creativity and creative problem solving.

OHPRI provides innovative and empowering education programs at sea and ashore to promote personal growth and professional development, while raising awareness of opportunities in the Maritime Industry, Marine Trades and Defense Sector for the communities of Rhode Island and Southern New England.

Each Friday, SALVEtoday will provide fun ideas and experiences to encourage and uplift the University community during this time of remote living and learning. #salvesgotthis #funfridays